Career transition: how to succeed at a job interview
Learn how to research the company, highlight your skills, deal with objections and impress the recruiter
Switching careers is a challenge that many people face throughout their working lives. Whether due to dissatisfaction, opportunity, interest or necessity, this decision involves planning, preparation and courage.
One of the most important and decisive stages in this process is the job interview. After all, this is when you show the recruiter your potential, your motivation and what makes you different for the job.
But how do you do well in an interview when you're changing careers? How do you convince the interviewer that you have the necessary skills for the new area? How do you deal with possible objections and doubts about your transition?
To help you with this mission, I've put together a few tips that could make all the difference when it comes to the interview. Let's go?!?
Do some research on the company
Before you go for the interview, it is essential that you do some research on the company and the position you are applying for. This will help you better understand the organization's profile, culture, values and objectives, as well as the main activities, responsibilities, and requirements of the position.
To do this research, you can use different sources of information, such as:
The company's official website, where you can find information about its history, mission, vision, values, products, services, clients, partners, awards, social responsibility, etc.
The company's social networks, where you can follow its posts, interactions, comments, ratings, etc.
Job platforms, where you can see open positions, requirements, benefits, salaries, etc.
People who work or have worked for the company, who can give you tips, insights, feedback, etc. about their experience, their climate, their selection process, etc.
This way, you can adapt your speech and highlight your qualifications and experience most relevant to the company and the job. You can also demonstrate your interest, knowledge, and preparation to the interviewer.
For example, you could mention a fact, fact, or compliment about the company that you discovered in your research, such as:
I was impressed by the company's growth in recent years, especially in the international market.
I admired the way the company positioned itself in the face of the crisis, showing commitment to sustainability and innovation.
I really identified with the company's values, especially its respect for diversity and inclusion.
These are ways of showing that you have been informed about the company and that you have an affinity with its proposal. This can make a good impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of success.
Explain the reasons for your career change
One of the most common questions you'll face in a job interview when you're changing career is: why did you decide to change area? This is an opportunity for you to explain the reasons that led you to this decision and show that it was conscious, planned and aligned with your professional goals.
Example: I decided to change areas because I discovered a passion for the intersection between technology and complex problem solving. While I value my previous experience, I'm excited to explore new horizons and apply my analytical skills in innovative ways in the field of software development.
Avoid talking badly about your old job, your old area or your old colleagues. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your move, such as your interest, your passion, your purpose, your learning and your growth in your new career.
Value your transferable skills
One of the biggest challenges for career changers is dealing with a lack of experience in the new area. However, this doesn't mean that you have nothing to offer. On the contrary, you may have many transferable skills, i.e. skills and knowledge that can be applied in different contexts and situations.
For example, if you are moving from an administrative career to a creative career, you may value your skills in organization, planning, time management, attention to detail, among others. These skills can be useful in any field and can set you apart from other candidates.
Show your desire to learn
Another way to compensate for a lack of experience in the new area is to show your determination to learn. Show that you are seeking to qualify, update and develop in your new career, whether through courses, books, podcasts, mentoring, personal projects, among other resources.
This will show the interviewer that you have the initiative, proactivity, curiosity and humility to recognize your gaps and try to fill them. It will also show that you have the potential to grow and adapt to the demands and challenges of the new area.
Prepare for behavioral questions
Behavioral questions are those that seek to assess how you behave in certain situations at work. They usually follow the format: tell me about a time you did this or that. For example: tell me about a time you led a team, solved a problem, made a difficult decision, etc.
To answer these questions, you can use examples from your old career, as long as they are relevant to the new area and the vacancy. You can also use examples from your personal, academic or volunteer life, if they are relevant and illustrate your competence well.
One tip for structuring your answer is to use the STAR method, which consists of describing the Situation, Task, Action and Result of your example. This will help you to be clearer, more objective and more consistent in your narrative.
An example question might be: ‘Tell me about a time when you led a team to achieve a challenging goal’. Answer using the STAR method:
Situation: During my experience as a sales manager in a technology company, we faced a quarter with very aggressive sales targets due to the entry of a strong competitor into the market.
Task: My task was to lead my sales team to achieve these challenging targets, keeping motivation and performance high even in the face of pressure.
Action: To deal with this situation, I started by bringing the team together to openly discuss the challenges and create a clear and achievable action plan. I delegated responsibilities equitably, taking into account the individual skills and experience of each team member. I also implemented an intensive training program to improve sales skills and offered extra incentives to motivate the team.
Result: As a result of these actions, our team managed to exceed the sales targets for the quarter, despite the fierce competition in the market. In addition, the work environment was strengthened, with the team showing greater cohesion and commitment.
This success not only boosted the company's financial results but also increased the team's confidence and satisfaction, creating a solid foundation for future challenges.
Don't stop practicing!
Doing mock interviews is essential. Invite friends or mentors to interview you and give you feedback. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel.
Do a mock interview where you show how your communication and teamwork skills can be useful in a technology environment.
Remember, changing careers is a challenging process, but it's also full of incredible opportunities. Stay confident, curious, and prepared, and you'll be ready to face any interview that comes your way!
I hope this information helps you prepare for your interviews and the whole migration process. Remember that changing careers is a challenging but also rewarding process.
Believe in your potential and your ability to reinvent yourself.
Good luck! 🍀